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1 2 • r e s t a u r a n t d e v e l o p m e n t + d e s i g n • J U L Y / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
BUZZ
who's doing what
The first Chinese location of FOCUS Brands' soft pretzel
behemoth Auntie Anne's opened in June in Shenzhen. Ad-
ditional openings are expected to take place soon in Beijing
and Shanghai.
The new locations in China will bring a customized
approach to the market in order to meet the desires of
Chinese consumers, per a company release. The location
includes a new store design, an expanded menu and more
than 20 different tea offerings. The new location is operated
by Chinese franchisee Gaga Group.
"China is a key market for Auntie Anne's," says Mike
Kehoe, president of international at FOCUS Brands. "We
see enormous growth potential in China as we know there is
broad appeal for our classic pretzel and new tea offerings."
The introduction of Auntie Anne's is only the beginning
for FOCUS Brands in China. The company is aggressively pre-
paring for the launch of additional portfolio brands, includ-
ing Cinnabon.
Auntie Anne's has more than 1,800 locations in 48
states and more than 25 countries.
Wetzel's Pretzels opened its first
Chinese location in Shanghai's
Réel Mall in June. The location
is the first of three units that are
slated to open in 2018 and the
launch of a plan to open 50 units
in China by 2021.
"Wetzel's Pretzels offers a
fresh-baked product, served fast.
It's a brand that will resonate well
with consumers in Shanghai,"
said Will Zhu, master franchisee
for Wetzel's Pretzels in China.
"With our first location open and
corporate training center built,
we're looking forward to getting
other locations up and running and
expanding the brand."
The Pasadena, Calif.-based
chain launched in 1994 and today
has more than 340 bakeries globally.
FOCUS Brands Takes Auntie Anne's to China
Wetzel's Pretzels Opens First Location in China